Fighting didn't only occur on land in the Revolutionary War, but there were battles at sea as well.  Great Britain used their powerful navy to patrol the seas and set up blockades of American ports.  The British blockade prevented supplies and reinforcements from reaching the Continental Army.  American warships were constructed to counter Great Britain's navy, but it was too weak to compete.  Privateers, privately owned merchant ships with weapons, was able to capture British vessels at sea.  A naval hero also emerged from the American side and his name was John Paul Jones.